#just as an album I can't say I enjoyed it; there's only the potentiality of what I could have enjoyed had she been here longer

[wickershells]

I have complicated feelings on posthumous releases in the best of times but for something to feel so unfinished & un-Sophie as this. it's sad

[siyzuii]

⨳ 　 ʾ apps/sites 4 shifting 　 . 　 ♡

hi! this will be long but i made a list of apps/sites that might be helpful for your shifting journey. reminder that you don't need these to shift but they can be helpful with manifesting, keeping track of stuff, etc.

enjoy! divider cr

NOT SPONSORED BTW LMAO

﹒ 　 ⊹ 　 🝮 　 OO1: NOTION 　 ✩

description:

basically notion is an app for documents and stuff. i have to say this one's relatively known and it's such a huge life saver and i know that probably everyone knows about it already (as they should) but i'm gonna recommend it once again.

useful for:

scripting

dashboards you can add life goals & stuff here you can look up some templates/ideas and see what i mean LOL

cons:

i personally can not think of any major ones because this app is just that good

you do have to make new accounts for the text ai generating feature but i don't know if anyone would use that

additional notes:

i personally love how customizable it is! like you can make each page have a custom icon & header, add widgets, images, and so much more. it is so so so insanely helpful for scripting i'm telling you. or you can just be basic, that works too. there's also a bunch of script templates online including specific ones (like a better cr, fame dr, fantasy dr, fandom-specific drs, bla bla bla) and it's literally the only thing shifttok is good for imo. i'm a big fan of shifterium's templates but there's other people who make them as well and i'm sure you can find some recommendations!

★ 　 ₊ 　 ➲ 　OO2: CANVA

description:

a website + app where you can design stuff from headers down to presentations, posters, covers, etc..

useful for:

album covers for singer/idol drs

book covers for writer drs or something

fake social media posts but there's better apps out there and i'll list them here as well

and much more!

cons:

a lot of things (most of which i think are the good stuff) are paid but you can find similar replicas if you scroll long enough i guess..?? and there's a free trial but i don't know if that helps

additional notes:

definitely my favorite place to go when i need to design something tbh. there's a bunch of templates you can use and the layout is very easy to navigate through! and it's pretty easy to find free alternatives for the paid stuff you do have in there

₍ⁿ⑅..ⁿ₎ 　 ˇ 　 ⩩ 　 OO3: PARROT 　 ❀ 　

description:

parrot is an app where you can record yourself saying literally anything and play it on a continuous loop

useful for:

affirmations (manifesting??)

cons:

i'm pretty sure it's iOS only

additional notes:

personally i haven't used this app (i don't like my voice so i will not be recording myself saying affirmations thank yew) so i can't give it a rating but from the looks of it and based off of recommendations i've seen it's pretty useful. should be a white icon with a pink circle that has a white parrot in it!

≥≤ 　 ﹕ 　 ⤷ 　 OO4: BEHINDTHENAME 　 ◍

description:

a site where you can generate names & even life stories if you choose it (including height, weight, blood type, birthday, nationality and more i think?? at least it gives those for me). you can choose from different cultures and stuff like fantasy & mythology.

useful for:

finding a name & info for your dr self (which is literally you by the way don't forget that!) and potentially other people you'd like to script in

cons:

it really just helps to make a basic profile of a person so the things you can do with it can be a little limited

additional notes:

i prefer using this site for ocs instead but i think it can definitely help with shifting! oddly enough it also shows like a lifespan & cause of death so.. cool i guess!!!!

✦ 　 ﹕ 　 OO5: SOCIAL MAKER/dummy

description:

social maker & social dummy are both apps where you can replicate almost basically anything from the internet from twitter posts to facebook posts, youtube posts, and more!

useful for:

social media stuff especially useful for fame drs, streamer drs, idol/singer drs and so much more

cons:

both apps were deleted so you have to have had installed them before if you want to get them back

social maker is ios only i think?

additional notes:

yeah both apps are deleted but there's alternatives out there like twinote (for twitter) photonote (for instagram) canva (has fake social media templates as i said lol) and others that you can look for (because i personally only use twinote)

⋆ 　 ᶻᶻ 　 　 OO6: HELLOFACE 　 ﹒ 　 ★

description:

basically an app for ai face swapping

useful for:

seeing what your face claim (if you have one) would look like on for example dances, fancams, interviews definitely useful for idol/singer/maybe fame drs

cons:

uses ai (i'm personally not a big fan of ai)

pretty underground so the chances that you might not like it are not low

✭ 　 　 ❒︎ 　 OO7: ROOM PLANNER 　 . 　 ♡

description:

basically what the name says. it's a 3d home designer

useful for:

making your dr room/house

visualizing your dr room/house

cons:

has paid stuff

┊ 　 ‧ 　⬭ 　 OO8: COMBYNE

description:

an app where you can combine items you like from a wide selection of stuff to make outfits!

useful for:

making outfits for your dr

visualizing said outfits

additional notes:

there's other things you can do on the app like challenges where you can compete to make the best outfit i think?? looks pretty fun i might try it HAHAHA

yuh so i got a little lazy here at the end & i know this is prolly not very helpful because most of these apps/sites are pretty well known but maybe just maybe.. i helped someone out...

HAPPY SHIFTING!!!!!

[nico-esoterica]

"Nico, I wanna be a famous artist!" (A Case Study Using Manifestation and Astrology)

Lady Gaga went from no one knowing her name in a hand-made outfit at Lollapalooza in '07 to eclipsing and redefining pop culture in '09. And later headlined Lollapalooza in 2010. She told herself, "I'm going to make a Number One Record," and "The Fame is inside of Me," over and over again. This was what meteoric 'BTS-like' success looked like for millennials (which also happened in the same amount of time).

She manifested that shit like a motherfucker. She's living proof that a small indie artist who can barely move a crowd and who got INITIAL lukewarm reception after releasing her breakout album that only gained traction A YEAR LATER that YOU, IN FACT, CAN DO THIS SHIT. Gaga was performing in hole in the wall gay clubs in Europe and radios didn't care about that album until Just Dance blew up in the US. Every millennial remembers exactly where they were in life when that single became a hit song. This is also the woman who performed in an Ikea Parking Lot to promote said album.

This is a sign for all of the artists in the audience to NOT give up on your dreams. Even if things seem to be slow, delayed, or as if nothing is going on. There will always be SOMETHING behind the scenes if you commit to thinking in your favor. You're human and can have shitty days, weeks, etc, but it's important to NOT COMMIT TO BEING MISERABLE. Your engagement's gonna go up, you can find a new melody for that song, work through your writer's block and just WRITE the damn thing, and you're going to GET the right gig for you. Your dreams will be handed to you if you believe that they will. TRUST YOURSELF.

Astrologically, Gaga was in her 10H profection year when she first performed at Lollapalooza. But between 07-08+ she experienced the classic Jupiter and Saturn squares to her natal planet equivalents which occur in your early 20s that could've served as catalysts or hurdles she chose not to overcome and did the former. Contrary to what we hear about 10H profections being about finally being seen or getting promoted, etc, it's not inherently explosive. It depends on the chart and what the person does with their potential. Gaga used it as exposure and to further build her career that'd soon snowball into legendary success.

This isn't some Capitalistic tale about 'hard work paying off.' I don't believe in toil and 'hard work' in an exploitative economical sense. I believe in all-encompassing self-belief. Gaga could have easily thrown in the towel when the radios weren't gagged or the people weren't moving in the crowd. She, imo, was performing for audiences only SHE could see. Huge ones based on the scale she believed in.

Even if we could say her Mars-Neptune conjunction in Capricorn where she already had an exaltation or that her Moon-Mars or Moon-Pluto helped her, those harmonious aspects could have motivated her in the opposite direction if she wasn't seeing results. Because all of that Mars can easily wear out through exhaustion or entrap itself in the idea that it simply 'can't come easily.' Martian and Saturnian folks tend to enjoy suffering as a kink. She also could've easily been a flash-in-the-pan one hit wonder artist and faded or her era could've been very short. Maybe in hind sight it was from a musical perspective, but that 5 year run between The Fame and pre-Art Pop undeniably gave her quarter century defining success. And she'd later go on to win big accolades as a serious actress and is still going.

And speaking strictly astrologically, I see another big musical era for her coming. I saw it in Galliano's chart when his fire points got activated and will be emblazoned by Neptune in Aries transiting soon. I also see the same coming for our Mama Monster.

So, um, why are y'all giving up out there in the stands? COME GET ON STAGE AND CLAIM IT AS YOURS ALREADY.

[day6source]

hello my loves <33333333 happy spring! i hope you've all been enjoying it so far, and especially enjoying it with the new album hehe!!🫶 so! first things first:

the welcome to the show concert is next week! as always i'll be recording, and i've since figured out recording with firefox, so there should be 0 to little stuttering this time in the VOD! i apologize heavily for that, and i actually have a gift to make up for it, but stay with me until the end! second: since kcon was...virtually unwatchable to most of us, i went on a little hunt for it! you may or may not be able to find the meet & greet here and the performance cut of the boys here. not sure. you might just have to check out the links to double check ;)

third: masterpost for 'fourever' is basically all updated! you can find it here! i was...unaware of the link limit, so if you want the shopping and streaming and performance links, those'll be in the first read more, watching things and articles are in the second one (which is the one linked for ease)! promo is basically over (i say cautiously) minus the concert, so feel free dive in if you missed anything! speaking of masterposts!

fourth: i got to thinking about it, and i found it a little unfair to only include jae in the pinned, so you can now find links/some updated info about what junhyeok is doing! i figured if i'm gonna have one former member, i should also have the other, even if he was there for only a short amount of time. so if you've been wondering what he's been up to, check him out on youtube and streaming! i'll be keeping it...semi-updated in the way i do jae's part, checking in every like, three months to see if anything's changed. on the flip side, if none of you care to know what those two are up to, i might just take their sections out entirely, but for now i thought it'd be courteous to have them there at the very least!

and last but not least: so, you guys know that watching old concert content is...entirely impossible really, and i thought...that was pretty wack, actually. so! the other day i went on a little deep dive on some sites, and i found some old concerts including the youth tour, the streams from pilmography, an old fanmeet, and the final every day6 concert. this site is uhhh basically impossible to see without a vpn and...well i also thought that was super wack, especially granted this content is...impossible to find elsewhere, and you can't even buy it. so i...took the liberty of gathering it and maybe...just maybe...you can find it here along with all of the other shows of recent, including a better stream of the christmas show for you guys. this is just me personally, but i think especially in comparison to other fandoms, ours is...a bit smaller and older, so gatekeeping content is just...not cool, and i wanna make sure that if you guys wanna see things, i can bring them to you to watch! it's not everything probably by a long shot, but if it's somewhere, i want you guys to be able to see it, even if those people don't think so, and especially if we can't just go out and buy it somewhere! so please enjoy! it should all be uploading as of me typing this post up, but should be up within a couple of hours, but there's some things in there like the kcon stuff and some other shows already, so that should keep you busy in the meantime.

okay, that's it! i love you guys, and i hope you're all staying so so so healthy and so so so so happy and enjoying fourever! we're actually almost at 300 followers which is INSANE, especially because the blog is almost a year old!!!!! what!!!!!!!! time truly flies, and i have loved every second with you all, i've got some potential things planned, so...stay tuned ;) stay happy and healthy, study well, take long breaks when you need, enjoy the weather! i love you guys so much <33333 tay💕💕💕🫶🫶🫶

[mirixmoya]

hello friends welcome to GRADING TORTURED POET SOCIETY SONGS BASED ON HOW EASILY I COULD TURN THEM INTO A HAYFFIE FIC (PART TWO) i hope u enjoy.

(you can find PART ONE here, for anyone interested!)

i. the black dog: 8/10. excellent directly-post-war hayffie song. captures a moment when they haven't quite re-connected yet, but they're both dying without eachother. "my longings stay unspoken, and i may never open up the way i did for you" "six weeks of breathing clean air, i still miss the smoke" is all very them. a really effective illustration of how the world feels like a different place in heartbreak, it's desolate and aching, which is all very very hayffie.

ii. imgonnagetyouback: 9/10. this song is bananas crazy, but so is effie. so it fits. it reeks of the turbulent, on-again-off-again, boundaryless, situationship parts of hayffie. once again, i think this could be a VERY good directly-post-war vibe. "i can tell when somebody still wants me" "you'll find that you were never not mine" "even if it's handcuffed, i'm leaving here with you" are all crazy thought processes which i can 100% imagine effie having.

iii. the albatross: 7/10. i know everyone is really stuck on this being a lucy gray / katniss / snow parallel song, but i see the hayffie vision! i think it would be a good song to juxtapose all of effie's relationships with capitol men against her relationship with haymitch. how is she made to behave by love? how does her fame + position loom over her relationships? effie is mythologized by the men in her life, almost made unreal by their perceptions of her, and it's haymitch who makes her real again. if any of that makes sense.

iv. chloe or sam or sophia or marcus: 8/10. EVERYONE HEAR ME OUT ON THIS ONE, but i have this vision of really angsty post-canon hayffie where they try to make a proper relationship work, they really do, but they just... can't. but there is an ache to this failure. a regret. they thought that they would always be able to come back to this, to eachother, but they discover that life is actually a series of closed doors. things change over time. they're forced to grieve this past version of their relationship that they simply don't have access to anymore. "you turned me into an idea of sorts, you needed me but you needed drugs (ALCOHOL) more" "could it be enough to just float in your orbit?" "if you want to break my cold, cold heart, say you loved me" ... yeah, the angst potential is endless.

v: how did it end?: 7/10. ONCE AGAIN, excellent bones for an angsty post-canon 'well, it didn't work out' hayffie vibe. good general thg imagery with "lost the game of chance, what are the chances?" + "the empathetic hunger descends" etc etc. "we were blind to unforeseen circumstances" very very them.

vi: so high school: 5/10. i feel like i could twist it to be hayffie if i tried really hard. like maybe a post-canon movie-verse traumaless fluff vibe where everything just falls into place. "no one's ever had me, not like you" is a very good line for hayffie tho.

vii: i hate it here: 8/10. excellent potential for a pre-canon / during-canon hayffie where effie uses their relationship as her refuge from the rest of the world, it's the only place she can truly be herself. the precocious child stuff, the debutant stuff, "i'm lonely but i'm good, i'm bitter but i swear i'm fine", all feels veryyy effie. this song would also be a good framework for effie being incapable of articulating her relationship with haymitch to other people, the magic of it is lost on them, it comes out clunky and awkward. but SHE knows it's real.

viii: thanK you aIMee: 2/10. not a hayffie song. but i feel like i could make it about effie & The Other Escorts if i really tried.

ix: i look in people's windows: 6/10. listen, this album is just an post-canon hayffie gold mine. "i had died the tiniest death" (the war) "i'm afflicted by the not knowing" (her relationship with haymitch) "what if your eyes looked up and met mine, one more time" (they can try again, can't they?). the anxious, almost neurotic ruminating is very effie to me.

x. the prophecy: 10/10. THE HAYFFIE SONG! if you saw the twitter edit before it got taken down, you KNOW. "don't want money, just someone who wants my company" "i'm so afraid i've sealed by fate" ... devastating. i think the illusions to prophecy & fate & this lack of control all play into her role in The Games really well. the idea that she's being punished for her sins by this lack of love. so much of effie is controlled and precise, i think the fact that this one thing (her relationship with haymitch) is sooo out of her control would drive her insane. perhaps insane enough to beg on her knees...

xi. cassandra: 4/10. not really hayffie focused, but good potential for one of my more politically focused fics. maybe the year of the 75th, leading right up to the rebellion. cinna & portia strike me as very cassandra-coded.

xii. peter: 1/10. not hayffie. maybe seneca & effie relationship study, but def not hayffie.

xiii. the bolter: 10/10. PERFECT EFFIE SONG! NO NOTES! SHE IS THE BOLTER! a precocious child with a "quite bewitching face" who is "splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless"??? welcome back effie trinket! the chorus is very hayffie to me. i'm thinking pre-canon early affair vibes. we get all the fun contrast between her relationship with haymitch and her relationship with the capitol "trophy hunters". the bridge could not be more effie if it tried, "hearts are hers for the breaking, there's an escape in escaping". she falls through the ice (the war) but don't worry folks, she comes out alive!

xiv. robin: 0/10. i genuinely have no idea what i could do with this song. sorry.

xv. the manuscript: 3/10. potential for post-canon living-happily-ever-after hayffie but with effie reflecting on her past relationships with capitol men. there's lots of illusions to grooming and the imprint that age-gap relationships leave behind that i think could really work.

[loonarii]

Ari's K-Pop Roundup: June 2024 (LISA, Red Velvet, NAYEON, NewJeans, KATSEYE, CHUU + MORE)

Hope everyone had a nice pride month - I unfortunately was chained to my textbooks for the brunt of it and didn't do anything pride related, but I did see Taylor Swift, so I guess it wasn't all bad. This is the 5th installment of this series - genuinely didn't think I would make it this far - you can check out last month's roundup here, or see my full masterlist here. Enjoy :)

ROCKSTAR - LISA (BLACKPINK)

It's very rare that we see a kpop idol's pure, unadulterated vision for the music they release due to the manufactured, consumerist nature of the industry, but here we have Lisa, arguably the most popular female kpop idol of all time (at least internationally) free from the company that is widely known for formulaic, repetitive music. Will she stick with the brand YG has created for her and reinforce the box Teddy has placed her in sonically, or will she forge her own way?

Right from the teasers, I knew we were in for something a little different. Although conceptually the chrome, futuristic vibe is nothing new in kpop, seeing Lisa without those god forsaken white washing filters was very exciting. And the fact that k-netizens are taking to it very well?? Lisa is here to rock the boat. 'Rockstar' is only a single with no mini album, but hey, it's Lisa, meaning she doesn't need to boost the length of her releases to snatch those extra sales, she do well commercially regardless. Usually a single album would annoy me, but BLACKPINK are back to releasing music, so today I will let it slide.

With a Kendrick Lamar 'Humble' visual reference in the music video, a Tame Impala sample, and a sneaky little writing credit, Lisa clearly wants to reshape her framing in the industry - with 'Rockstar' she's rejecting the somewhat diminishing 'idol rapper' status, and seeking that 'rapper rapper' reputation. She wants to sit at the table with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, and 'Rockstar', in my opinion, does a decent job at securing her seat.

You can't reference Kendrick and not put in a double entendre in your lyrics, and Lisa (and her fellow writers) delivered in that category with quite a lot of success actually. In the line 'been MIA, BKK so pretty, Every city I go to is my city' 'MIA' is used to mean either 'missing in action', referencing how absent Blackpink has been from the music industry thanks to YG's interesting management choices, or as a reference to the Miami IATA airport code just as BKK means Bangkok, Thailand - in this context its an allusion to Lisa's multilingualism and her international influence as a member of Blackpink. It's a really good line, is what I'm trying to say.

Most of the issues I have with 'Rockstar' stem from the songs length. With the base track clocking in at 2 minutes 18 seconds (oh my god what have we come to), the song feels like it's just begun when it's all over. Excluding the choruses, hooks, and pre-choruses, and pasting what remains together, we are left with one singular, honestly quite short verse. Yeah it's a pretty good verse, both in flow and lyrical content, but one verse in what is clearly trying to be a rap song is unacceptable.

'Rockstar' is frustrating to me because while it has its genuinely great moments, like when 'lala' is used in reference to singing and to Lisa's real name when bounced onto the next line, a lot of that greatness gets eclipsed by the track's shortcomings (pun somewhat intended). However, although she's done solo work before in YG this is undoubtedly something of a debut, and through that lens, while it is flawed, the track shows potential. 'Rockstar' knows exactly what kind of song it wants to be, and even though it doesn't quite measure up, it's still a step in the right direction. I'm very excited to see what Lisa does next with her career. At the very least, 'Rockstar' was fun, for sure.

Cosmic - Red Velvet (Cosmic)

When I write these reviews, I try to describe the feelings and emotions and energies the song in question evokes, and I have found that when I struggle, the song is good - and I mean exceptionally good. 'Cosmic' is one such track - I fucking love every part of it - it's so addictive to the ninth degree, from that gorgeous music video to the low and slow verses to that utterly euphoric chorus. From Joy's slightly psychotic edge to her lines that she perfected in the 'Peekaboo' era, to Seulgi's vocals in the hook, and Wendy's high note pulling us into that final chorus; everything about 'Cosmic' WORKS. Lines like 'I'm riding on your rhythm through the solar system' and 'love is cosmic' work both in their catchiness and emotiveness. This era is obviously inspired heavily by the 2019's 'Midsommar', a visual feast of a horror film about a disturbing Scandinavian cult, and let me tell you, if 'Cosmic' is a cult, consider me initiated. Not to spoil my end of 2024 ranking or anything, but as for right now, 'Cosmic' is taking the cake for the best kpop song of the year, no questions asked.

Red Velvet b-sides always hit, and the 'Cosmic' mini album delivers as expected. 'Sunflower' furthers that 'i just took an edible and i found my way onto Spotify' energy, and that hook of 'OOH WOW FEELING SO FUN FUN FEELING SO FUNNY' is hilariously good, this is a standout for sure. The other b-side I want to highlight is 'Night Drive', the album closer. With elements of citypop and 80s synthpop, 'Night Drive' feels like exactly that - a 3am drive around a city you hardly know with people you know better than yourself. It's a celebration of music, and that's putting it lightly.

SM might be working up to shunting Red Velvet into their peripheral vision, what with the new 12 member girl group debuting soon, but 'Cosmic' proves their legend status once and for all. We freaking love you RV, never change. (And I would in fact join a cult if Seulgi was my fearless leader xx)

ABCD - NAYEON (NA)

Look, JYP may be my op until the day I die, but I'm not going to sit here and lie - he knows how to write hits when he wants to, and 'ABCD' is a HIT.

2022's 'POP!' was just that - pure, unadulterated pop music, exactly what was trending in Korea at the time - the image of modern kpop. And don't get me wrong, I loved it, but when it came for Nayeon's first comeback, I was worried she was again going to pull from the current trend cycle, and right now that means airy, Pinkpantheress type beats with a UK garage adjacent vibe - and that's not Nayeon. Her voice is full and powerful and rich in colour and flavour, a song like that just wouldn't work for her. I was nervous, for sure, but when the teaser dropped, I knew it was going to be good. In 'ABCD' Nayeon is rejecting the trend cycle almost entirely - it still flaunts that 00s vibe unabashedly, but here we are pulling from a trumpet fueled 'Crazy In Love' Beyoncé energy, and oh boy does it work. The lyricism in this song goes crazy, that chorus is masterfully written and unbelievably catchy, and that post chorus build up is INSANE. Nayeon's range is on full display here, and she sounds incredible.

The rest of the mini album is pretty amazing too. 'Butterflies' has some super interesting vocal layering, and many great moments like 'a little mental picture, every time I'm with ya' - and although it's pretty clear this was supposed to be a TWICE track once upon a time, with Nayeon even appearing to imitate the members' styles of delivery (it's like I can hear Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chaeyoung on this track clear as day) it's still an easy hit that I can't help but love. 'Heaven' doesn't quite work for me, it's not unlistenable, but the feeling that it has simultaneously too much and not enough energy perserveres, unfortunately. 'Magic', the song that my girl Julie features on is pop perfection, and these girls work so well together - Julie's interjections are so catchy and her parts steal the show entirely. 'Magic' is a bonafide hit. 'HalliGalli' is very AKMU (as to be expected), but I can't help but feel like it's a little immature, both for Nayeon and this album. It has some fun elements, but the complete track just isn't it for me. 'Something' is a fun pop song, if a little dull at moments, but that post chorus is a stunner. 'Count It' brings down the tempo of the album a little, in a groovy track with some beautiful vocal production - it's exactly the punch up the tracklist needed after the weaker couple of tracks that precede it.

Nayeon is my blog namesake, and she has done me proud on this album. Yes, some tracks were on the weaker side, but the overall product is strong, with Nayeon's oustanding performance on every track, and a killer title song in 'ABCD'. In terms of other TWICE members getting solos, I would love to see how Sana approached a song on her own, or even Tzuyu, who despite being the maknae and visual, tends to get lost in the sauce of a lot of TWICE releases. We will have to see, I suppose.

Right Now + Supernatural - NewJeans

God, I sound like a stuck record every time NewJeans drops some new music, but holy hell is it always good. Following their 2nd single album 'How Sweet' earlier this year, the girls are dipping their toes into the Japanese market for the first time with two tracks - 'Supernatural' and 'Right Now'. NewJeans have captured the attention of all of South Korea pretty much, it's now time to look further afield.

'Right Now', drenched in sassy lilting vocal runs, is bedroom pop at it's finest. The up-and-down choral melodies evoke the energy of a 2am gossip debrief at a sleepover with your best friends. The dichotomy of Minji's languid repetition of 'I don't care' with a chorus that speedy and spirited is humorous and perfectly captures what it is to be a teenage girl with a crush. NewJeans know who their audience is, and are making music directly for that.

'Supernatural' came next, embracing that New Jack Swing sound wholeheartedly - its very 'early 00s street dance movie'. It's quite a bit more mature than 'Right Now', the girls decorating those gorgeous synths and groovy instrumentation with a genuine collected confidence. As always, it pushes the boundaries of the y2k trend and thematically pulls from the era itself, not other people's recent interpretations of the era. It's experimental for NewJeans I think, which works for a debut, and while it takes a lot of the right risks, and makes a lot of the right choices, the chorus leaves a little something to be desired. The melody and hooks are perfect, I have no issues with them, but the vocal direction needs tweaking. A song like this demands a chant style chorus with all the members in my opinion, and while the vocal layering of the individual members singing attempts that anthemic feel, it comes off as slightly limp-fisted. I'm kind of dramatizing this issue because to be frank, it is rare I find something in a NewJeans track that I can pinpoint as a problem. The song is still of a supremely high caliber, and to be honest, any thinness in the chorus vocals just inspires the listener to fill in the gaps themselves with an impromptu karaoke session.

Lyrically, both 'Right Now' and 'Supernatural' break the kpop-takes-on-the-Japanese-market formula by including not only a blend of Japanese and English lyrics, but some Korean lines too. I find it quite clever, like saying 'this is NewJeans' debut in Japan, but they will always be a korean pop group first and foremost'. While some groups like Girls' Generation and Twice find their discographies split into 2 - kpop and jpop, NewJeans are clearly making an effort to unite both markets under 1 discography.

As a debut, this works. Two tracks united by classic NewJeans production and differentiated by themes and tone. It's really been a rough year for these girls, what with the whole Min Heejin vs HYBE drama and with Hyein's injury leaving her out of promotions for both single albums altogether, but there's a light at the end of this tunnel, and as long as the music stays consistently high quality as it has been, I will have no complaints.

(sidenote: the fact that I wasn't at Bunnies Camp in the Tokyo Dome is a little sick and twisted.)

Debut - KATSEYE

I mean, maybe expectations were unrealistically high since KATSEYE is HYBE's first real stab at the western market, but come on, we all deserved better than this. A half-hearted pop song that fails to innovate in every sense of the word, and they have the audacity to not even make it three minutes. IT'S BARELY EVEN TWO MINUTES. Kpop companies pulling from PinkPantheress constantly is truly a double edged sword, on one hand we get fucking incredible songs like 'LOOP' and 'Super Shy', and then on the other we get every kpop company waking up and deciding that actually it's totally okay to release 2 minute songs and act like it's a completed product. As a British girl, seeing the effects of the recession and the cost of living crisis on the people around me in real time is one thing, but seeing fucking SHRINKFLATION weed its way into pop music as well is like the burning cherry on top of my cesspit sundae.

I genuinely don't know what happened in the production of this song, like they got Ryan Tedder, who has contributed so much great music to this world, and then somehow the end product was so dull and uninspired.

The worst part is these girls are absurdly talented and they are getting served dirt. HYBE - that mini album coming later this year better be good istg. Ok, I'm done ranting.

BUT OH MY GOD TWO MINUTES AND THREE FUCKING SE-

Strawberry Rush - CHUU (Strawberry Rush)

(obligatory note: if you want to stream Chuu's old solo tracks, or any other old loona songs, please stream via the loona podcast or the twelveM account on spotify in accordance with the boycott)

Having the LOONA girls free from that cesspit of a company is one thing, but getting new LOONA music this often is certainly an unprecedented win for me.

Following her re-debut under ATRP in late 2023 with 'Howl', Chuu is back for her first comeback with 'Strawberry Rush'; a mini album drenched in electric pink and cherry red and sunny yellow. Chuu has an innately magnetic quality and Strawberry Rush as a title track takes full advantage of that. It's an utterly adorable song that I genuinely can't imagine anyone not loving. That disco synth thrumming the song's heartbeat is reinforced with a killer baseline, and Chuu's gorgeous vocal colour gives the track even more energy than it already has. The intro and opening are perfect at punching up the mood and setting the scene for the chorus, but it's when Chuu comes in with 'packing that heat, packing that heat, packing that PEW PEW PEW' that the song truly swings into motion and you know that this is going to be a fun one.

The mini album doesn't quite match the energy of it's title track, with it maintaining a more relaxed vibe, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. 'Honeybee' is an acoustic track decorated in summer daisy chains and buttercup bouquets, and it works wonderfully with Chuu's more airy vocals. 'Daydreamer' follows a similar sonic theme to 'Honeybee' but with a more late night nap with the cicadas vibe - Chuu's ability to switch between powerful, call-to-action vocals in 'Strawberry Rush' and featherweight tones in the b-sides is truly commendable. 'Lucid Dream' comes next, a perfect midpoint between 'Strawberry Rush' and 'Daydreamer', heartfelt and addictive. It's a real stand out on the album for sure. 'Chocolate' was released as a single a while back, and I enjoyed it then absolutely, but it makes so much more sense on this album - somehow it just got even more catchy.

Effortlessly adorable, effortlessly catchy, effortlessly perfect - Chuu, you have done it again.

MINI REVIEWS:

Boom Boom Bass - RIIZE: absolutely no notes, im obsessed. I've literally never loved a boy groups music like this before. wow.

Inner Dance - tripleS Glow: tripleS' ability to establish their own sound and musical motifs so early on in their career has served them very well, and 'Inner Dance' shows that clearly. Light and casual and airy, it's the perfect backtrack to your summer break.

Summer Festa - IVE: I usually don't dignify these type of advertisement songs with a review, but this one is actually kind of a bop. A little bit 'Espresso' coded; it's something fun for the summer that inadvertently encourages getting blackout drunk at the hotel bar in Bali. I'm still not drinking Pepsi though. Or Coca Cola for that matter, NewJeans pipe down.

BADVILLAIN - BADVILLAIN: (requested by @a-moth-to-the-light) Although apparently capturing the eyes and ears of seemingly the entire kpop community, this one wasn't hugely to my liking. This might be controversial but my first impression was in fact 'wow this sounds like something babymonster would release' - I can see the appeal but unfortunately these songs just aren't meant for me. I do enjoy the classical influenced production and for the most part the vocal performances were fun too, but with the hook I wish they had bumped up the high note at the end of 'villain' another octave - that's such a nitpick I know but the thought struck me immediately when I heard it. '+82' on the other hand impressed me immensely, such a powerful, call-to-action type song. That background production is a killer, and perhaps I just have Kendrick on the brain from my Lisa review, but the beat feels somewhat along those lines. And holy fuck can these girls dance - wow.

Sabotage - Kwon Eunbi: Can Eunbi release a flop title track? Turns out, once again, no she can't. I love 'Sabotage', it's so hilarious and catchy, and singing along feels like accusing an imaginary boyfriend of gaslighting lol. Woollim giving this song to Eunbi feels a little ironic, considering since she left IZ*ONE, it seems all they've done to her career is sabotage her with poor promotions. The song is fun, and Eunbi sounds excellent as always, with 'Sabotage' boasting many a vocal riff, especially following the bridge. Give this one a listen, and whilst you're there, go check out the rest of my girl's discography, she's truly a hidden gem.

[scabplucker]

scab, you finally have your asks on!!! I wanted to ask you this since we talked about your modern(?) geto 🤔 (yes I think about him often and have been planning on drawing him)

what bands do you listen to, can you give me some recommendations? 😄 you mentioned back then that you were projecting that onto geto LOL

oh…. my…. god….. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING THIS!!! giving me an excuse to finally yap about music 😌😌😌 appreciate you tumblr user evillex11 ❤️ AND OMG ID LOVE TO SEE YOU DRAW HIM❤️❤️❤️ PREFACING WITH U REALLY DONT HAVE TO READ THIS ALL, i went a little nuts SORRY

OKAY, yes i listen to lots of bands, and as of recent i’ve found myself wanting to project the themes of these songs onto geto so baddd, because sometimes i’ll just be listening to a song and it’ll all just click into place and it’ll physically pain me to at least not sketch up something 😭😭😭 i have a list at this point full of songs for potential satosugu animatic thingies

I’D LOVE TO RECC YOU SOME BANDS!!! I lean towards indie/alt, grunge rock bands but i can get pretty diverse, so it all just depends on what you enjoy listening to. Bands like Modest Mouse and Built to Spill have been getting me through life recently.

Built to Spill always has magical fucking guitar riffs, and you can just tell the guitarist is having fun with it. “Keep it like a Secret” is currently my favorite album from them, with songs like “You Were Right” and “Carry the Zero” being some of my favorites. There’s this song from their album called “Perfect from Now On” that I’ve been closely relating to Geto a LOT called “I Would Hurt a Fly”. WARNING!!! about to geek out about the lyrics in relation to Geto.

“I can't get that sound you make

Out of my head

I can't even figure out what's making it

No one else around even seems to be noticing

It's only small enough for me”

I Imagine “I can’t get that sound you make out of my head,” and so on would elude to the cultists all around them clapping as Geto enters the room, where Gojo stood there holding Riko in his arms. After the fact (post riko and toji and all that shit) I always loved the subtle details of something as inconsequential like rain pattering outside while he spoke to Yuki, sounding like clapping and then slowly shifting to the genuine sound of rainfall. Or that scene where he was taking a shower, contemplating his morality and reflecting on past events, the beads of water falling to the floor slowly shift into the sound of clapping. Like it’s all still constantly buzzing in his mind. Little details like that make me love Geto as a character and just how well written his descent into animosity was towards non-sorcerers.

“There's a mean bone in my body

It's connected to the problems

That I won't take for an answer”

He won’t take being complacent to jujutsu society, or consuming cursers and seeing his comrades die for these non-sorcerers for an answer anymore.

“And I won't take that from you

Because I'd

Hurt a fly”

He wont take that from Satoru, because he’d def hurt a fly!!! song title drop!!!

Anyways sorry for the ramble, but def check that band out! If rough sounding voices is a turn-off for you when it comes to songs then you might now fw them, but this is also the same for my next recc,

MODEST MOUSE!! fucking love this band, i will unapologetically say that “Interstate 8” is a masterpiece. They’re also very rough sounding, which personally i really enjoy. Plus the lyricism is nuts, i love how things are put, especially with “Whenever You Breathe Out, I Breathe In”. It’s one of the more mellow songs, but then again i’d say that album is pretty mellow. I have “Edit the Sad Parts” right before in my playlist, and the song no joke has a couple of minutes of just absolute silence. And I won’t even notice music has stopped playing since I’m usually doing something while I listen, then “Whenever You Breathe Out, I Breathe In” will kick in and I’ll just feel the air punch out my lungs. Love that album so much.

There’s also this really underrated fucking band called “Stuck in the Sound”, I put their “Pursuit” album cover as one of Geto’s pins on his bag ❤️❤️ you might have seen the animation for their song “Let’s Go”, if you haven’t i HIGHLY recommend you watch it. The song SLAPS and got me hooked, I couldn’t stop watching the animation. “Let’s Go” is in the “Pursuit” album which houses some of my favorite songs from them such as “Criminal” which has such a nice sound to it, also a personal favorite “Silent and Sweet” which just hits different when you need a good cry. An all time favorite of mine is in their album “Nevermind the Living Dead” called “Toy Boy”. I used to just strum that song on my guitar til my fingers were sore all the time, it’s so nice to just scream that song out. I LOVE THIS BAND SM 10/10

Also been listening to Radiohead quite a bit recently, and “Black star” is about loving someone who’s mentally ill, I believe, and how you maybe be teetering along a fragile line constantly making sure another day passes by without any extreme conflict. And then the song depicts that person then separating from that love interest only to find themselves prone to the same emotional breakdowns. I thought the concept of that oddly fit well with satosugu if you think about how Geto defecting might have privately affected Gojo. I did a small animatic thing for that with Gojo after having to kill Geto!!!! I’ve mostly been listening to the album “The Bends”, has some hard hitters like “Just” or “Sulk”, I fw the guitar in “Planet Telex” a BUNCH. I ❤️ radiohead

ONE MORE I PROMISE. I’ve always been an all time Arctic Monkeys fan. Their discography is super diverse because they’ve been experimenting and changing a lot throughout the years!!! They go from garage band type rock, to alt rock, to pop, to lounge music type jazz?? I love each and every album. I used the song “Batphone” (personal favorite) for the most recent animatic thing I did, the guitar in it is so strong and cleverly inserted, i’ve always wanted to do something with that song. I started conceptualizing a storyboard with a song called “Secret Door” on their “Humbug” album (every song on there is a banger) that you saw on my instagram story (also an all time favorite)! I def recommend “Humbug”, “Favourite Worst Nightmare”, or “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” if you want to delve into their rock stuff, but if you’re feeling experimental DEFINITELY check out “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino”. The album is always super hated on but it’s probably one of my favorites, super underrated. You’ve probably heard songs from their “AM” album like “R U Mine?” or “Why’d You Only Ever Call Me When You’re High?” since they got pretty popular, so if you like a mesh of both pop and rocky elements, check that out too!!!

ANWAYS SORRY FOR SUCH A RAMBLE. TLDR: Arctic Monkeys, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, Radiohead and Stuck in the Sound is AWESOME!! give them a listen, i know i didn’t really even bring up any grunge bands like at all but Dinosaur Jr is really neat. Not in rotation rn, but the song Sludgefeast is magical.

THANKS SM FOR THE ASK

[akiumzeno]

Ye-jun Im as a Survivor

(Outdated. Visit here for updated version.)

Title: The Protector

Perk: Concealment

Ye-jun can click on another survivor’s icon to make them Concealed. When a survivor is Concealed, it will raise their undetectability to 75%. Whenever the Concealed survivor avoids detection, Ye-jun gains a stack which gives him an extra 20 points of stamina. Ye-jun has a max of 5 stacks at a time and loses the stack once the stamina is used up but can regain it.

However, if the Concealed survivor does get detected, the detection stays for the Concealed survivor 15 seconds longer than usual. This ability can only be used on one survivor and cannot be transferred if the survivor dies and the perk disappears once Ye-jun dies.

“You're going to be safe. Don't worry.” - Ye-jun Im

Stats:

Speed: 9/10

Stamina: 8/10

Stealth: 3/10

Composure: 3/10

Repair: 7/10

Healing: 4/10

Voicelines:

"Call me a dancer."

"5, 6, 7 and 8!"

"I wonder how Dae is doing..."

"Run!"

"You never know who's looking."

"Can't find them, now can you?"

Backstory:

Ye-jun grew up in a well-off family that provided him with everything he could have ever needed. He knew he had it better than everyone but that still didn’t make him anyone spoilt. He still looked out for others and even shared what he had to those who needed it. Although, he still could say no if the time ever came. This made him generally liked among others even if Ye-jun only made his company reserved for a few.

One of Ye-jun’s surprising yet strong likes was his interest of pop music. He was interested in it and one day, he decided to audition for the position to be in a potential music group. Although he wasn’t expecting to get in, his talent and effort ended up landing him a position.

He soon met up with all his soon-to-be group members and he thought they were all polite and respectful but one of them stood out the most.

Dae-jung. 

He had this aura that just drew Ye-jun in like a fish on a hook. He was attentive, affable, easygoing, and not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Before he knew it, Ye-jun had butterflies in his stomach whenever Dae-jung was around.

However, he knew that no matter how confident he was about his feelings and self-assured to take rejection, he couldn’t act on his feelings. It was only a matter of time before they became idols. And once they would make their debut, it was out of the question. But Dae-jung was so passionate about becoming one. He didn’t want to ruin his wishes before they could even flourish. So he stayed silent.

Eventually, their group, STAR*STRUCK made its debut and they became big. People loved them. Ye-jun and Dae-jung were soon big stars alongside their two other members Byung-ho and Han-gyeol. They were doing concerts, photoshoots, fan-meetups, making albums, even getting presents and letters from their fanbase. It became overwhelming.

But despite that, Ye-jun enjoyed every moment Dae-jung and him shared and he couldn’t wait for the next time they might lock a glance or have a conversation about whatever. This was all so exciting and new for Ye-jun to experience; he didn’t know how to contain his feelings.

He couldn’t contain his feelings.

Without meaning to, while Dae-jung and him were talking, his feelings bursted out. They were just leaning against each other while talking, Ye-jun didn’t mean to say he loved Dae-jung at that moment. Ye-jun grimaced, expecting a rejection at the very least and a scolding from the very worst.

“I love you too, Ye-jun.” 

None of the music STAR*STRUCK could produce could sound more heavenly than the words Dae-jung just uttered.

“H-Huh? You do?” Ye-jun blushed.

Dae-jung gave a nod back with a tender smile that could make Ye-jun’s heart melt.

Ye-jun soon started to smile. And soon, they shared a fleeting, but still passionate kiss.

Ever since then, Ye-jun and Dae-jung have been secretly dating. They didn’t tell anyone about it, not even their trusted members. They didn’t want to take even the slightest chance that they could be exposed. 

One day, they decided to have their first date. Of course, they first made it seem like they wanted the entire group there. But secretly, they planned it on a day where both Byung-ho and Han-gyeol were busy. They soon both went to a private spot on a hill. Just a simple romantic dinner for the two of them.

But when they woke up the morning after, they couldn’t have been expecting what came. They both woke up to a racket going on within the dorm their group shared. 

Their manager came in, revealing that their date had gotten out and how everyone was talking about it. They were soon swiftly fired for breaking their contract. Dae-jung and Ye-jun soon started to feel melancholic about what was in store for the future as Han-gyeol and Byung-ho left them to process everything.

As the two held each other for comfort, a white mist filled the room. And when Byung-ho and Han-gyeol went to check up on the both of them, there was no sign of them. Nothing that showed they left or were hiding, like they disappeared into thin air.

Quotes:

Picking Up Ally:

Dae-jung (Alternate Universe Skin)

[Ye-jun]: “Guess I’m going to have to be your knight in shining armour.”

[Dae-jung]: “Aren’t you always that though?”

[Ye-jun]: “Please, don’t go just yet.”

[Dae-jung]: “No need to worry, black cat. I’m not going anywhere.”

Dae-jung

[Ye-jun]: “Hang in there, Dae-jung! I’ll get you back up!”

[Dae-jung]: “Thank you, Ye-jun.”

[Ye-jun]: “You’re going to get out of here. I’ll make sure of it.”

[Dae-jung]: “Let's hope so.”

Chaoxing

[Ye-jun]: “Surprised to see you here.”

[Chaoxing]: “Same here!”

Yeona

[Ye-jun]: “Why in the world did you think of going to their dorm? Byung, Han and Dae got their own lives that you don’t need to spy on.”

[Yeona]: “I-I just wanted you guys to notice me.”

[Ye-jun]: “Sure, sweetie. That’s what they all say.”

[Ye-jun]: “Your behaviour’s revolting. Do you honestly think this is right?”

[Yeona]: “I-I don’t know.”

[Yeona]: “Thanks, Ye-jun!”

[Ye-jun]: “This doesn’t mean anything. Don’t think too much about it.”

Aaaqil

[Ye-jun]: “Why don’t you say anything to him? Perhaps it’ll be just nice to just get the feelings out. It’ll be cathartic.”

[Aaaqil]: “Thanks, but I’m not too sure about that.”

Crosby

[Ye-jun]: “Just so you know, I also know what it’s like to be in a forbidden relationship. If you need it, you got someone to talk to.”

[Crosby]: “Thank you! And I hope things work out for you!”

Rayner

[Ye-jun]: “Just so you know, I also know what it’s like to be in a forbidden relationship. If you need it, you got someone to talk to.”

[Rayner]: “Much appreciated, friend.”

General

[Ye-jun]: “Don’t worry. You aren’t staying down.”

[Ye-jun]: “Hold still. I’ll help you up.”

[Ye-jun]: “Dae is usually the one doing this but I can try.”

Picked Up By Ally:

Dae-jung (Alternate Universe Skin)

[Dae-jung]: “Don’t worry, Ye-jun! I got you!”

[Ye-jun]: “Thanks, bunny.”

[Dae-jung]: “Please don’t die on me, Ye-jun!”

[Ye-jun]: “I wouldn’t even dream of it, Dae.”

Dae-jung 

[Ye-jun]: “Take your time. You don’t have to rush.”

[Dae-jung]: “Thanks, Ye-jun.”

[Dae-jung]: “It still feels weird to do this with you.”

[Ye-jun]: “I’d imagine.” 

Yeona

[Yeona]: “Y-Ye-jun! It’s so great to—“

[Ye-jun]: “Just heal me and get it over with.”

[Yeona]: “Are you and Dae-jung dating?”

[Ye-jun]: “We are. If you have any problems with it, you better say them right now.”

[Yeona]: “I heard that you slept in the practice rooms after sessions!”

[Ye-jun]: “Ugh… You scare me.”

Chaoxing

[Chaoxing]: “Does it hurt?”

[Ye-jun]: (sarcastically) “No, of course not.”

Emery

[Emery]: “Oh goodness! It’s you! You’re even more handsome in person!”

[Ye-jun]: “Hehe, thanks. I appreciate the honesty.”

Taylor

[Taylor]: “I really liked your one song… Close To You?”

[Ye-jun]: “Thanks. That song became huge, now didn’t it?”

Dakari

[Dakari]: “Oh my gosh…! Ye-jun, it’s you…!”

[Ye-jun]: “Must be a fan, huh? Well, nice to meet you.”

Elijah

[Elijah]: “Hey, there. I’ve listened to some of your songs and they’re pretty good.”

[Ye-jun]: “Thanks. Glad you like it.”

Survivor Died:

Dae-jung (Alternate Universe Skin)

[Ye-jun]: “DAE!!! PLEASE, ANSWER ME!”

[Ye-jun]: “No… Don’t leave me! Please…!”

[Ye-jun]: “Could I not protect you?”

Dae-jung:

[Ye-jun]: “I swear when I see that guy…”

[Ye-jun]: “You son of…” 

Last Survivor:

[Ye-jun]: “There’s no one else?”

[Ye-jun]: “Time to get serious.”

[Ye-jun]: “Alright, I can do this no problem.”

Chase:

The Idol

[Ye-jun]: “So you’re dating Dae-jung… You wouldn’t mind trading places, now would you?”

[Ye-jun]: “You better not get close to him! I can fight just as well as you!”

[Ye-jun]: “So it’s true that he does love me! I knew it! He’s just in denial!”

[Ye-jun]: “It's over between you two! Just let him go!”

[Ye-jun]: “You’re sick in the head! What kind of monster are you?!”

[Ye-jun]: “You’re me and I am you. How come I am the monster?”

[Ye-jun]: “I don’t care if you’re me! I’ll get rid of anyone standing between me and Dae!”

[Ye-jun]: “Well, I don't care either! I'll die before I'll let you even lay a finger on him!”

[Ye-jun]: "Your choice."

General

[Ye-jun]: “I can dance and sing for hours on end! This is nothing!”

[Ye-jun]: “Get ready to dance with me!”

Escaped Chase:

The Idol

[Ye-jun]: “What in the world did I become?”

[Ye-jun]: “Why did I do that? What happened with me?”

[Ye-jun]: "He's so self-centred... It's disgusting."

(If enough people like this, I'll post the memories I wrote for this concept)

[dgdraws]

Artfight Postmortem

as you may know, i am prone to reflection on my art and process and progress. herein, i'm gonna navel gaze a bit about artfight 2024.

top line: really enjoyed myself, did a bunch of new things and this was "The Year of Artist Friends" which is spectacular.

i completed 20 attacks this year, including my first ever mass attacks! altogether I drew 28 different characters (incl 4 of my own).

for the first time, I had *users* i wanted to attack, rather than just characters i'd gathered via search or discord. honestly, three years ago when i picked up the stylus i was just excited at the prospect of drawing for other people, period. artfight was a cool way to be in community without prerequisites. i didn't quite dare to dream i might make some real connections and make proper friends. and yet :) here we are! i went in with three 'art friends' and i'm leaving with at least three more

in addition to being the year of artist friends, this could be "the year of clip studio paint was on megasale a week before artfight" because i knocked out like 2 practice pieces before July 1st so i wouldn't be starting with completely unfamiliar tools, but i used/learned csp for the vast majority of my attacks. one i finished in krita (lonnie), and my final attack i only used krita.

definitely trial-by-fired myself! but it motivated me to explore csp, and most important, gave me a reason to practice practice practice. last year i drew almost exclusively humans, lots of full bodys, because i wanted to get a better grip on anatomy and drawing a variety of faces. it worked then, and, well, i think i learned more of csp in one month of artfight than i would have if i was just plodding through my personal projects for 33 days :) *looks at my wip folder with months old files* pretty sure.

ok i'm gonna look at a few faves/standouts now:

came in hot with 0tt0 here! the main brush for this one (froggy pencil) was a mainstay for the whole month. so versatile!!! and lovely texture. this isn't quiiite brat green but this was what made me go, hmm, what if i... did a few pieces inspired by this album i can't stop listening to?

and then i took a huge turn and just used a soft round brush for Desa and Iryna for my dear friend @bobomcfoe bc i really wanted to turn these out in something approaching my "usual style" of late and i feared getting too deep into the temptations of csp if i put them off. and, um, yeah i love them. i got sooo close to matching that angle but ahh i can see the tilt now! nonetheless, love these two, not least bc brookie has some of the most pleasing color palettes to work w :)

then on to Rosé and baby's first vector lines! you can RESIZE lines in csp. did you know that? i didn't know that. i did forget to use it as much as i could have in later ones though, so i still only kinda know it ig. and halftone shading! bc why not? another thing i really only did this once, but want to experiment with more

Rook here, for my new friend @gender-premium-tm, was me realizing how to use filters/filter layers in csp. now THAT is something i used a lot this month! also something i use often in krita. i must say, though the csp options are slightly more limited (afaik), they have oomph!

okay these two are my "explicitly brat pieces"! artfight keeps you moving, which i find really valuable, bc i could have dithered foreverrr over Lonnie's gif here. like, do i add his arm? maybe he should be wearing a shirt? or, what if i just draw him twice, instead of splitting the expressi--see it just never ends. and as i am always going on about, art is so precious bc it is a reflection of us when we make it. maybe for some future artfight i'll redraw this (as Lonnie's artist @wenmistry did for me with Ebon this year), but for july 2024, i'm amazed at how well i executed this for just 2.5 days of work! (i did forget his glasses, which realization gave me a different take on the composition, so this is high on my list of potential redraws)

and then Aagatha. this is in my top 3 for this year. the pink just works so well with the green and her artist added the song to her character playlist AND added the necklace to her actual dnd inventory. like. omg. the impact your art can have!!! how freaking cool is that???

two mass attacks! i was in a silly goofy mood. i feel like i really got a handle on vectors w the anthro mass attack, i adjusted every single point on that one by hand. weird what hyperfocus makes you do sometimes, but i learned a lot from that. mainly that i will probably never user vectors as my main linework tool. there are circumstances it is perfect for, and outside of that i'm good w my raster lines lol

which is exactly what i used for this other mass attack, featuring mostly my ocs. hey, sometimes you need to shake things up! i can see here the style starting to hew back to my "usual style", though i'm thinking that might have a lot to do with drawing 5 people very quickly. falling back on practiced techniques. and by this time i apparently knew csp well enough to reproduce them pretty closely! ooh, one thing this made me miss was the transform tool in krita. that floor was ROUGH to wrestle into place in csp.

purple and green turned up a lot this year!

Echo is my crowning achievement with the froggy pencil, most of the shading here is just layers w that. and one last nod to brat green :)

i've worked in the paper cut style before (both my pfp's use it) but i really exploited csp's clipping layers to make Scraps here. they did make me briefly forget how they work in krita when i switched back, so well done w that

i played with gradient maps a little earlier in the month but for Okanar i actually made my own gradient! really a useful tool for ref'ing real human skin tones to make non-human ones, without muddying them up too much.

finally, Chaos. this actually might be my favorite! ironically this is the one that i made in krita. it was like, ahh, yes my old friend. wait where is the scroll bar. ah, okay, yes my old friend... the line layer is set to burn which just makes the whole thing so warm (and the cause of the red outlines on the earrings). used my old sable brush, a pattern fill set to overlay... my old stomping grounds! but plus a rendering technique i picked up this month and some other random habits i picked up in csp (like copying a detail to a new layer, moving it where i want a copy, and drawing/tracing it back onto the original layer in the new position. nothing i couldn't have been doing in krita all along, but made easier by the tool layout in csp, and therefore now discovered by me. amazing how one integrates new knowledge. it's like magic sometimes!!!)

that was a good roundup! if you actually read this to the end, wow! and thank you! i hope it was interesting... and inspiring! bc i want to read about your process and reflections too! yes you! and plz tag me, i'm always down to gush about art XD

[tolerateit]

Okay, hear me out a little bit here. It's a little long but I'm shooting for clarity over conciseness.

My first take of SLL was that it was kind of cruel (and I still think so!), like I do think it's a bit more bitter and full of rage than is fair for what the actual substance of the song/narrative is. BUT as we're having a lot of discourse about "I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free," I actually don't think it's a particularly unfair line. I think that's a pretty normal feeling, coming out of a long relationship that didn't end well. As other anons have mentioned, there are several references to both parties having "fallen victim to interlopers' glances," etc. and I think that's where some of this bitterness comes from, in addition to the struggle of trying to help a partner whose mental health is kind of tearing the relationship apart. So my point is that I don't think this line is meant to be viewed in an isolated context.

Also, I think the reason I'm willing to give that line a pass is because of the sheer volume of reference in this album (and previous ones!) to her desire to marry him and have children. She was like 26 when they got together, which IS pretty young in the grand scheme of things, and then they remained together through her early 30s. Now it's only been like a year since they split up but she's touching a lot on themes of having children, her friends are having kids and getting married, and as we can see in The Prophecy, it seems like she feels her life is just this revolving door of hope for getting the "ending" she was looking for, only for it not to pan out. Wrt her "youth" - I don't think she gave him all her youth in the traditional sense, but it's harder for a lot of people to date in their 30s, especially as a woman prioritizing a desire to have kids tends to be perceived as "desperate" by potential partners.

So to that end, I really think that lyric does make sense, even if it's not as nuanced as we might want. It seems like she was kind of all-in on the relationship in past songs, and their future as well, and it seems like she feels he's taken that future from her. (Not a very fair feeling, but imo, an understandable one.) Like, Taylor is going to be 35 this year, and that's NOT old - BUT in America, a pregnancy at 35 is considered a "geriatric pregnancy" (cringe) due to increased likelihood of complications, etc, so if she cares as much about having kids as she lets on, I kind of get it, even though it is pretty insensitive. I could definitely see this being a lot of where she's getting this idea of him having had her youth and it having been kind of wasted, despite that being a harsh thing to say and leaving out a lot of nuanced discussion about the parts of their relationship she clearly appreciated and enjoyed.

I think the cruelest part of this song is the parts where she puts his mental health on blast - "how much sad did you think I had in me?" I do think that's a really insensitive way to frame the situation, and I don't particularly appreciate it.

i can see this!! It's not unfair to think that way especially in the early stages of a separation because you're processing so much anger and grief you can't really get to the acceptance stage right away, so fair enough! But yes to all lines about his mental health! Even "you sacrificed us to the gods of your bluest days" feels like a part of a conversation I shouldn't be privy to

[gay-otlc]

HI just got back from school (my economics test was great (i wrote 8 pages for one answer))

anyways literally the first time i listened to my chemical romance was this year. because people on my dashboard were saying mama was a great trans song and i was intrigued. so im a pretty new fan haha

butttttt i do enjoy the music? so it's fun but im not freaking out. apparently they might release a new album or something because they've invented a whole new language and it "Can't just be for a tour" and some themes from the intro video to the tour on instagram are callbacks to one of gerard way's outfits in the past (this is all i've gotten from twitter though) so either they're releasing a new album or it's something else but it's "definitely going to be something"

Yay good job on your test. 8 pages is a lot

Mama is a good trans song but it is not the only (or even the best imo) of their trans songs. Sick of the other trans songs erasure :/

I've been an enjoyer of their music for a while but I wouldn't really consider myself like A Fan. Happy for the fans rn though <2 potential new album sounds fun

[beautifulpersonpeach]

Hi BPP,

Since you are active, I thought I would get this in quick.

Did you watch the last three shows of Suga's concert? Just wanted to know your thoughts. I bought all three days because I suspected the boys will play. I had already seen Suga few times so I was hoping for the other boys and I was happy that they delivered. I am going to provide honest feedback and be mean by rating them. It's not a bad rating per so. It's more about what I felt during those three shows.

1st - Park Jimin and Suga - what a fucking pair. I know we always talk about Jikook's chemistry but I feel that JM has good chemistry with all the members and only highlighting Jikook's chemistry is disservice to JM and his insane chemistry with all the members. How the fuck is he able to match everybody's energy? It's incredible. To be honest, I struggled a bit to whether place RM and Suga's night or JMs and Sugas night first. In an ideal world, I would rate them both equally but also at the same time, Park Jimin is the performer of this century. The way he moves, the aura, the way he sounds, the way he looks. Every time I watch a BTS performance, Jimin kills it and he keeps getting better and better. I am afraid there is no stopping him. He is already on the way but he is going to be the biggest icon this world has seen..there is way too much potential there and we have just scratched the surface. He is so fucking sensual, its crazy..him and Suga sounded amazing and vibe really well. Jimin just owns the stage whether he is just walking/talking or performing. I think this to me sets him apart from all the other members. He doesn't even need to perform to ooze out charisma. There is just something about him. Okay enough about JM before I write multiple paragraphs.

2nd - Damn RM!! First of all, I love short hair. I think it makes him look fucking sexy. He is daddy for sure!! Love the unreleased song. Loved the energy between Suga and RM. Loves those friendship and whatever else thee is. The only reason that I placed the second day about the last day despite the visit from Hobi and Jin is Park Jimin. He is a performer performer. In saying that, I have always felt that RM's stage presence is underated. I feel like people used to be a bit funny about Suga's too but they have since relapsed that Suga is a fucking beast. RM I think gets a mixed reaction. I feel that dancers often get labeled as people with best stage presence but RM is a fucking killer on stage. I still rank JM higher than the rest of the BTS members but RM is pretty up there for me..his new song sounds incredible and I can't wait for his new album. Plus I want to see his titties..honestly I don't care about BTS showing their bodies. I have already loved through that with JM with his beautiful fucking body. Now Kookie is naked every second day.. most of the days l love it but sometimes I dont want to see it. The reason is because the body loses its value for me if I see it often. I just want to see RMs sexy body and then I am done with BTS and nudity unless one of them does tasteful full nudity (looking at you JM). Show us the goods!! I digress sorry. In conclusion, RM you nice, keep going.

3rd - I love Kookie but I don't like the song Seven. I think it's a dumb song that has the streams it has because fans feel they need to support everything their artist puts out, too many versions to purchase and stream, too much of a push for a shitty song and all that jazz. Now I am not saying JK didn't do a good job. He did do a good job but I want a better song for JK. I don't even care that he doesn't write it. I want a song that's not forgettable. I want a song that I know JK can kill and make it his own. Once again, JKs vocals sign but the song isn't that great. I thought I would enjoy it live but honestly have no feelings. I also felt that the audience weren't that into it when he performed. Not sure what but didn't feel it. I might sound like a hater but I honestly don't think the addition of JK did much for me. Burn it on the other hand was a blast for me. I like JKs voice in songs like that. I think JK is a great performer and just like JM has a lot of potential but 7 doesn't show any of that potential for me. I have no idea why they were pushing the song so much to be honest. Jk can write better songs and melodies. Let him do his shit!!

Overall though, they all looked hot. I almost cried looking at their beautiful faces. I hope if JK does songs about sex next time, actually either kiss the fuck out of them or fuck them

That seems more fitting than a weird stalker music video. JM next time kiss your reflection for fuck sake. Although a bit weird to.kiss your reflection, that would have been awsome. The whole fandom would have lost their mind. I am waiting to see who is going to start the trend of physical intimacy. I would like to say JM since he technically does a lot of subtle rebellious things or JK because it's JK but I would honestly love it more if it's Joon. Imagine everyone's face. Can't wait for all of them to kiss on screen.

Okay I am done with my rant haha

***

I disagree that Seven is a stalker music video. I think it's fairly clear the line between benign (humorous) persistence and stalking wasn't crossed. And it's no use defaulting to that option otherwise.

But yes to everything else you said. Sort of. I enjoyed reading everywhere this went even when I strongly disagreed. I think it's so interesting how we all perceive each member in BTS and their solo works.

And yeah, everything about Yoongi's encore concerts was perfection.

[moon-alight]

can you please make maki as a boyfriend? And i really like your blog and i'm so happy that you write for &team

I could, yes. I'm glad you like my content and I'm also happy I write for &Team. Great group with a lot of potential. :)

Also this is my 30th post! I'm going so fast it's funny!

&Team Maki as your boyfriend

Warnings: none

Word Count: 569

Masterlist

CRUSH PHASE

-He would've known you for a while. You had been friends for at least a couple of months before he started realizing his romantic feelings.

-Would be in a fight with himself because on one hand, you're a very close friend of his and therefor he would never want to lose you but he definitely wasn't happy just being friends.

-He decided to let it go for a while, maybe his feelings would leave soon enough.

-Unfortunately (fortunately) for him, his feelings became even stronger instead of disappearing.

-He would be awake for hours just thinking about you and what to do.

-Eventually decides to just take the risk because maybe it will work out.

-And work out it did. You were stunned when he appeared in front of your house at midnight and confessed. But you also liked it a lot.

DATING PHASE

-Let me tell you, this boy is ecstatic now that he finally has you.

-Would hold your hand constantly, play with your fingers etc.

-I believe he would have German nicknames for you like Schatz (Treasure), Liebling (Darling) or Schnecke (Snail)...

-The last one only to tease you of course. (It's a good thing I'm half German myself)

-If you're international, he would try to learn as much about your culture, language and home-country as possible.

-Would surprise you with talking some words in your language and his pronunciation would be good af.

-Loves physical contact from you. Can't wait until you cuddle into him while watching a movie.

-Probably the reason why he liked horror movies so much. To see you get scared and have you curl up into him.

-Plays video games with you, even if you suck, he would still enjoy your company.

-Always watching you (Not in a creepy way) but an admiring way.

-Sometimes has to pinch himself to realize this is all real.

-Walking Pandy together.

-Calls you Pandy's mom.

-Has a journal in which he writes everything about you. Your dates, what you smell like and how cute your smile is.

-Also writes about little things you do like habits or things you like so he never forgets.

-Loves sentimental gifts more than buyable gifts.

-Like, he would totally melt if you gave him a self-made scrapbook with all your memories or a keychain with a picture of you, him and Pandy.

-Keeps these little gifts in a box under his bed.

-One day Harua finds it and hell breaks lose but that's a different story.

-Shy with PDA but will of course hold your hand.

-Not protective at all.

-I mean, if someone says something or looks at you the wrong way, he will say something about it.

-But overall trusts you enough to not worry about whether or not you have male friends or something.

-Makes tons of selfies with you.

-Scratch that... Full on photoshoots together.

-He keeps each and every picture in a special album on his phone.

-Sulks when you don't pick his photocard after you got an &Team album.

-But will spoil you with more until you have him.

-Likes to take you out for food-dates.

-Foods you both never tastes before, or something you just really love to eat.

-I'm a solemn believer he likes chubby girls so there you go. Do with that information whatever you want.

-Just wants to be with you 24/7. I'm soft now...

[moe-broey]

i wanna say, you've made me enjoy the heroes ocs WAY MORE with your stuff!!! triandra and alfonse in particular r reaching blorbo tier for me... what made you like them? did you like the story out of the gate, or was there a specific moment that made it snap into place?

for me, i was rather neutral on it until book 3 hit all the tropes i like (big news: grima fan also likes lif, how suprising), but after that i needed to simmer on a lot of it to see its depth.

also your art is super cute.

I AM. SO DEEPLY HONORED TO HEAR THIS LMFAOOOO that's so fucking funny and cool 😭🥺 (also THANK YOU!!!!! 😊)

I've def been ruminating on this one! Triandra is a lot easier to place an exact timeline on her.

I have extreme Alfonse autism, he IS my primary fixation I think LMFAO 😅 And I think what happened was like. Alfonse autism spreads like mold to characters that are connected to/significant to him -- so, I ended up having (intense!) Sharena autism as well, and THAT spread to Peony of course (less intense, but her connection to Sharena is Huge and can't be overlooked), which spreads to Triandra. Triandra was also significant in the back of my mind, since she would be in the exact same situation as Alfonse when it comes to their sisters potentially being swapped, just on the other side of it. Which I think is SUCH an intriguing premise that hasn't been explored in canon at all.

I think I doubled down on it more when I decided to impulse summon for her bunny alt for Sharena autism reasons and got her -- at this point, I didn't have Triandra's base form (just the Peony duo!). Having her as a stand-alone unit helped me flesh out her vibe/character way more! WHICH ALSO was important cause like. I did completely forget her backstory. I blocked out most of Book 4 actually LMFAOO IT WAS SO UPSETTING FOR ME 😭 And the fairy who left the deepest impression on me was Plumeria, actually.

So! My deep-dive exploration of the fairies has been way more recent! All that, combined with one Book 4 revisit and the dream realm centric TT event that excluded Sharena kind of just. Fueled my spite LMFAOO like okay FINE. I'll reconcile all of this myself if I have to 😤

As for Alfonse... man.

It's hard to say which came first, my affinity for Alfonse or the intrigue of Lif. I almost want to say they happened side by side, parallel to each other. I got into FEH a couple years after it launched, so I was able to go through Books 1, 2, and most of 3 at my own pace. I think my affection for Alfonse WAS solidified in Book 3 though, not even because of Lif.

THIS IS. THE VERY FIRST PHOTO IN MY DEDICATED ALFONSE ALBUM ON MY PHONE LMFAOOOOOOO IT'S NOT EVEN OF ALFONSE........ IT'S HIS BITCH ASS DAD 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I thought this moment was SO insanely funny though like MAN. Real "Sometimes I can still hear his voice...." "Stop telling everyone that I'm dead" moment 😰

Though Gustav does NOT get credit for anything.

This dialogue especially in response to Gustav really did touch me. Like for him to go from trying his damnest to remain detached to standing up to his dad (scary) for someone he only recently met. To believe in the strength of that connection ESPECIALLY in the face of conflict (his own fears, and his bitchass dad) (and also the death curse.) To be THAT important, to have that much faith in me. Damn I guess I have to trust you and let you into my heart. 🧍

And prior to that moment, like... I absolutely had a slow burn with him.

Idk how personal I want to get about it esp cause I've rambled SO much already lmfao... but for me, Alfonse is very much like looking into a distorted mirror. Some things are extremely similar, other things are direct opposites but in a way that reflects the other. He's very much like me. He's something I'm not, and something I can never be. Sometimes that's good. Sometimes he has something I wish I could grasp for myself. There's feelings of affection, recognition, admiration, hostility, envy, desire.

Maybe one thing I'm comfortable sharing is that I have a lot of trouble letting people in. I kind of go about it in the complete opposite way. Everything I know about connecting with others, I've had to go out of my way to learn. None of it came naturally to me. I am very intentional, almost meticulous, in what I do and say. To be likable, to be the best person I can be. I've had to work really hard, and I still have to work hard to not push people away or isolate myself completely.

In short PVP was activated when I got a sense for his character LMFAOO LIKE COME ON MAN. I've done XYZ and A THOUSAND OTHER THINGS. I may not show it but AAAUAGJGHGHGH EVERYTHING IS SO HARD ALL THE TIME BUT I AM FACING MY FEARS EVERY DAY. To be A CHILL and FUN super laid back guy who also helps the best he can whenever he can however he can. And you???? What about you?????? What are YOU doing?!???!?? I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU

[scratchandplaster]

Birdie why do you think Ben ran away?

Shepherd what do you plan on doing with Lukas?

[Masterlist] | Ask game

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

"I think he missed his brother," Birdie mused.

The group Sam joined today was busy preparing fruit slices, mostly apricots, apples and figs, as a midday snack. They were mixing pumpkin butter with a scoop of fresh honey into a paste, meaning if Sam took one fact away from their stay here, it was that these people loved their dips.

"If that's all, why didn't he stay in contact with you guys?"

"He probably had a little rebel phase," she laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "and wanted to prove himself out in the world."

Sam hummed: "Doesn't seem like the type to rebel."

"You're absolutely right! But if I'm being honest, Lukas has a pretty strong influence over him. On his first day back, he acted like we would tear him to shreds for leaving, I-" Birdie shook her head as if to let her thoughts out, "I can't imagine what kind of horror scenario they convinced themselves of."

Sam never dared to acknowledge it, but given what kind of social structure Birdie and friends were trapped in, they had always been friendly and welcoming to even the one who strayed off their vision of life. Normally, at least during their research, Sam expected a good portion of shunning and shame. 

Lucky Ben.

"Perhaps he regretted his choice, but was too embarrassed to ask for our help. Just look at him, he flourishes a bit more with every day."

--------

The old man's eyes lit up when asked about his son.

"Oh, the only thing I want is to see if he's doing well! Since he left without a word, I live in constant worry, especially because Luke... Well, he is very vulnerable when it comes to everyday stressors. And before you say it: I know. I know he's an adult and can make his own choices in life, but I'm not sure if that also applies to the people around him." A beat of silence followed. "I only wish for him to live in a healthy environment with friends that can be trusted."

"That's it?" Somehow, Sam didn't buy it. To be fair, he had been very upfront with them about Ben and their role in his return. 

"That's it," Shepard assured, "and if he doesn't want contact, I will have to respect his decision. But maybe, just maybe, he feels prompted to visit once or twice. For his brother's sake, at least, so we can live with the knowledge that he is safe."

"Is Lukas like him?" Their head nodded over to Ben, trapped outside the cabin gathering and whittling new twigs for today's campfire bread.

"No, not at all." The man's smile dragged a certain sadness along. "That's the magic of raising children; witnessing how these little minds full of potential grow into their own person. It's a gamble, but every score is a win."

Whipping out a crumpled Polaroid picture from his wallet, Sam was greeted by a child waving at them from behind the stained foil - hair black as a crow was tucked under a horribly knitted beanie. The boy, visibly younger than the triplets, stood next to an RV that was parked in front of a spitting geyser.

"That's Luke's first time at Yellowstone," Shepard spoke rather wistfully, "he loved watching the fountains for hours. Read about it beforehand, so of course, I enjoyed a whole tour of the place for free and afterward..."

Sam had braced themself for a lot during their time among the residents, but a whimsy trip down memory lane wasn't accounted for. Nothing against free information, but they feared Shepard was about to pull out the ultimate time waster.

"Here, I'll show you!" From under his desk, Shepard presented a thick photo album wrapped in leather.

Too late.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

[ultravioart]

Since female (or at least openly femme presenting) watchdogs make Hater “nervous,” do you think he’d get a crush on punk/goth c. peeps? Assuming he doesn’t recognise the guy - which let’s face it he probably wouldn’t - it’d be hilarious and emotionally devastating for poor ol peepers. On one had, his boss (crush) is finally swooning over him, but only for his made up persona that he only intended to use to avoid getting burnt to a crisp by Dom.

I’d like to think Hater is much less overbearing about his crush this time, since he’s still a little traumatised over what happened with Lord D. He’s still a complete dork of course, but he acts a lot shyer and genuine around the ‘cute little watchdog babe’ that’s groupies with Dom now.

Anyway, sorry for gushing about your AU, I had this thought and it would not leave my head all day. Keep up the awesome work!

Aw it's cool, I am glad others are enjoying the ideas! The back and forth is great for brainstorming and really fun to answer. So feel no shame, I love the feedback! While it's not currently planned in the au to have Hater meet peepers in the disguise, I absolutely headcanon that sometime after Dominator rejected him, Hater created a real saucy banger of a song inspired by/dedicated to "that cute blonde chick from that one time" (which was Peepers during 'The Showstoppers' lol). When Hater learned that chick was PEEPERS he panicked and had the song pulled immediately and had all copies destroyed before his new album was published. He never spoke of that instance again. Simply did NOT. Think about it. ever again........................ No inner thoughts, no inner monologues. No inner contempolation, no introlospection, and definitely no 'anything that involves smoochy emotions about best boy friends.' --boys who are friends. not boyfriends, boys WHO ARE FRIENDS. Who are best friends. that are boys. Who sometimes look like girls you'd totally date but, who is in fact, a boy, who is already your best friend for life, who already loves yyyou-- (deep breath) Okay No thoughts, Head. empty. HEAD, EMPTY!!! So yeah... to answer your question, Hater wouldn't be able to tell it's Peepers in a disguise lol. IF Hater saw Peepers in the goth/punk chick disguise, he would think her long sleeves and platform shoes were SO CUTE, and he wouldn't really get her hairstyle, but the high ponytail was kinda cool. And the way she looks at him when she talks is so... Oh wait, what is she saying, crap he wasn't paying attention--UH! COMPLIMENTS! GIRLS LIKE COMPLIMENTS, "I LIKE YOUR EYEBALL. IT'S NICE." Nailed it. ... Oh! She squeaks too??? Oh, he's in love. Meanwhile, Peepers would be flabbergasted, because he can't just blow cover over this. This sure is as awkward as it is amazing. To explain the Dominion au and why Hater doesn't ever really see/meet Peepers in the disguise, explanations below:

For my plans for the Dominion au, Peepers leaves hater in one big hurrah to PLEASE NOTICE ME HATER KYO save the galaxy (so they can conquer it later!) but straight up people think Peepers is finally taking his accumulated vacation days after like, a decade. LOL. It's actually one main reason Peepers leaves during that time, because with Lord Hater steamrolling in planet conquering due to confidence induced competency, it leaves Peepers essentially obsolete and out of a job. At first, it's super nice to see Hater reach his true potential, and the free time is pretty nice too, but eventually whenever Peepers tries to help out, it's all "got it" "did that" "done that" from Hater, and Peepers starts feeling useless and left behind. Even the watchdogs are ignoring Peepers and treating Hater as the "popular guy" over him, and it's eating Peepers up inside. Add in that Wander converting Hater into a good guy with "love and friendship", and Peepers starts to get utterly desperate. Peepers tries to offer any way he can help out, but Hater being Hater, blows him off and dismissively suggests to finally take that vacation or whatever, as he happily runs off with a group of chattering watchdogs. Peepers: "A vacation...?" Peepers: "HMF! Evil never takes 'a vacation'! Evil never sleeps!!" (cue montage of Peepers concocting a very genius, very stupid plan, as he rants about Lord Hater shoving him to the side like trash and choosing good guy stuff over the evil life plans they made together. It includes unhinged lines like: "If Hater wants a good guy, I'll show him 'good guy'! I'll be the best worst evil good guy he's ever seen!") It's not until Dominator makes a comeback and is hanging out with peepers that everyone realizes. OH. OKAY THEN?!?!? UH???? I had a scene planned where when they realize what's going on the reactions are as follows: Wander, panicking: OH-NO-PEEPERS-ISN'T-USING-HIS-VACATION-DAYS!!! (i can't remember the exact lines now, oof, but it's something like:) Sylvia: (worried) Forget that Wander, --he's really teaming up with Dominator?! (silence from hater in the back) Wander: ...Lord Hater? Oh, I know this must be such a shock an all, considering we all thought he was on Tateehee 5 when he really was making friends with Dominator but-- Hater: GRAHHH, I CAN'T BELIEVE HE TOTALLY BIRDDOGED ME!!!! Sylvia: (deadpan) -oh boy. bonus: watchdog: Uh, Lord Hater, don't you have to, uh-actually date her first, before it can be called a birddog? Hater: (zaps watchdog) NO ONE ASKED YOU, JERRY!